On Tuesday morning, Conor McGregor announced his retirement in mixed martial arts. About this former UFC champion in two weight categories wrote on his official Twitter page.
“Hi guys, quick announcement: today I decided to leave the sport, officially known as MMA. I wish all my old colleagues success in the competition. Now I will join my former retired partners, ”the Irish said in a statement.
Hey guys made a quick announcement, formally known as “Mixed Martial Art” today.
I wish you could be in competition.
I now join in my retirement.
Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!
This news came as a surprise to Conor’s multi-million army. Over the past few months, it was rumored that in the summer the athlete could return to octagon and hold his 12th bout under the auspices of the UFC. Among his possible rivals were mentioned such famous athletes as Anderson Silva, Neith Diaz, Donald Cerrone and Tony Ferguson.
In addition, more recently, McGregor himself announced his desire to enter the ring soon. In particular, he told about his plans in the “Late in the evening” show with Jimmy Fallon.
“We talked about July (as a date for a possible duel. - RT ), but let's see how events will develop. There are a lot of politics around. Fighting is a wild game. But earlier I said that I am in shape and ready for a fight, ”Conor assured.
At the same time, McGregor said that at the present time he no longer needed to fight to earn a living. According to him, for the past performances, he earned enough, and his brand of whiskey Proper Twelve only improved his financial situation.
“In fact, I can get a fight with anyone. I achieved a lot, had enough fights and never filmed with them. During my career I suffered a large number of injuries, found myself in crazy situations that not everyone can survive. But I was firmly on my feet and benefited the company. Whiskey is my child, and now I don’t have to fight, but I want to do it again. We'll see what happens in the future. I remain ready, ”added the Irish athlete.
In light of how unexpected the McGregor announcement was, the reaction of UFC President Dana White seems overly calm. The head of the Absolute Fight Championship not only was not surprised by Conor’s decision, but also found it reasonable.
“He has money, his brand of whiskey is successful. It definitely makes sense. If I were in his place, I would also complete a career. In addition, he ends up with fights, but not with work, ”White quotes MMA Junkie.
According to the head of the UFC, Conor has enough other things to keep him from being bored out of sports.
“It was fun to watch him. He has achieved incredible achievements in sports. I am happy for him and in the future I hope to see him as successful outside of octagon as he was inside of him, ”said White.
After his debut in the UFC in 2013, McGregor in the shortest possible time became the main star of the promotion, and later - one of the highest paid fighters in the history of mixed martial arts. In five years, the Irishman earned more than $ 12 million, which is unprecedented for the MMA world. Previously, no athlete could get such fees in such a short period of time.
McGregor had a huge impact on this sport. In many respects thanks to him, mixed martial arts became known all over the world, and the fees of fighters increased markedly. It is enough to remember that before his arrival at the UFC, the main stars of the promotion earned $ 800 thousand for the duel. In the era of McGregor, athletes for the first time began to receive seven-digit sums for the fight.
It should be noted and its impact on the culture of communication in MMA. Of course, in terms of the thrash current, Conor continues the traditions of such famous artists as Cheil Sonnen and Tito Ortiz, but it was he who made this phenomenon ubiquitous. Now, not a single press conference can do without verbal conflict between rivals who actively become personal and are trying in every possible way to bring the opponent out of balance.
Of course, many consider this phenomenon to be negative, and McGregor is the main culprit in the fact that athletes no longer treat each other with respect. However, at present, such skirmishes play an important role in the promotion of battles and have a positive effect on the sales of tournament broadcasts.
As for the departure of the Irishman from MMA, we should not forget that for the last two and a half years MacGregor practically did not conduct fights according to the rules of mixed martial arts. After defeating Eddie Alvarez in November 2016, he entered octagon only once. After 23 months, he met with the current UFC lightweight champion Habib Nurmagomedov and suffered one of the worst defeats in his career.
As Conor himself admitted, as well as his team-mate Artyom Lobov, he intended to achieve a rematch with the Russian, but he received a nine-month suspension for taking part in a mass brawl after the UFC 229 tournament. weight between Max Holloway and Dustin Porier, which could further delay a possible return fight between Conor and Habib.
Thus, the ex-UFC champion in two weight categories was to meet with another rival in the octagon, which could not suit the fighter himself. So, it was rumored in the media that McGregor only agreed to a fight if he went to the paid tournament (PPV) and became his main event. Otherwise, the Irishman demanded a share of its shares from the promotion.
Probably, the parties could not agree that once again prompted the Irish to leave the sport. Most recently, White himself indirectly confirmed that it is always difficult to reach agreement with McGregor.
“Every time I negotiate with Conor, there are some nuances. You always have to deal with some questions, ”White said in a conversation with Barstool Sports.
However, it is still too early for McGregor fans to get upset. First, the athlete announced only the departure of mixed martial arts, but did not say anything about other sports. Previously, he already had experience in boxing and said more than once that he intended to return there. There are very logical reasons for this, because it was there that Conor earned his biggest fee. For a duel with Floyd Mayweather, Jr., he received $ 30 million.
In addition, there has been a lot of talk lately about his possible debut in boxing without gloves. According to media reports, the leadership of Bare Knuckle FC intends to offer McGregor a duel as part of its promotion. Paul Malignaggi appears as a rival - a former world boxing champion in two weight categories, with whom the Irish have not very friendly relations. In preparation for the fight with Mayweather, the American was his sparring partner, but then quarreled with his employer and repeatedly offered to meet in the ring.
Among other things, do not forget that Macgregor is very prone to shocking and rarely watches his statements. Therefore, it is not surprising if in the near future Conor announces his return to MMA and announces the fight. In recent years there have been many examples when athletes hung gloves on a nail, but then resumed their careers. Suffice it to recall the British boxer Tyson Fury, who retired from the sport after the victory over Wladimir Klitschko, but after two and a half years he returned to the ring.